Marin LGBT spouses urged to apply for Social Security benefits

"For too long, you have been treated as second-class citizens with regard to government benefits. Now is the time for you to receive your rights," a commissioner told members of the Marin lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community gathered in the auditorium at Novato's Homeward Bound center this week.

A landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June unlocked federal benefits for same-sex couples. Grace Kim, regional commissioner for the San Francisco Social Security Administration, and other speakers at the "Know Your Rights" workshop Tuesday urged members of the LGBT community who might qualify for a spouse's Social Security benefits to apply.

The event was the first of its kind in a national campaign to educate LGBT Americans about Social Security benefits. About 100 people in the audience clapped, cheered and called encouragement to the four-person panel that extolled Marin and the Bay Area for their progressive politics and exhorted the group to support Social Security.

"Even if you're in doubt, apply," said Web Phillips, the senior legislative representative for the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, at the workshop sponsored by the Marin Community Foundation and the Spectrum LGBT Center in San Rafael.

"Eligibility date is triggered by the date of application, so we encourage you to apply if there's any possibility you're eligible at this point," said Kim. "Go on our website and file a claim."

The site is at www.ssa.gov. Another option, Phillips said, would be to call the agency to set up an in-person appointment at a local office. The number is 1-800-772-1213.

"If you have a spouse on Social Security, there may be additional benefits to be paid. The important thing is to go to the Social Security office here and make an application. Benefits start clocking as soon as you file a claim," said Phillips.

"If you apply for a benefit for which you are not qualified, there is no penalty," noted panelist Daniel Redman, an elder law attorney with San Francisco firm Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica LLP.

"I think this is a pioneering area for us (LGBT)," said Paula Pilecki, executive director of the Spectrum Center, after the meeting ended.

"We have people who would never have believed in their entire lives they would be eligible for this (spousal benefits)," Pilecki said. "We just can't be afraid to access it. We have to be brave."